Belisarius has remained in Carthage strengthening its…
October 533 CE
Belisarius has remained in Carthage strengthening its walls during the past weeks, while Gelimer has established himself and the remnant of his army at Bulla Regia.
Gelimer has managed to cement the loyalty of the locals to his cause by distributing money, and sends messages recalling Tzazon and his men from Sardinia, where they have been successful in reestablishing Vandal authority and killing Godas.
While waiting for Tzazon's arrival, the Vandal king's army also increases by the arrival of more and more fugitives from the battle of Ad Decimum, as well as by a contingent of his Moorish allies.
Most of the Moorish tribes of Numidia and Byzacena, however, send embassies to Belisarius, pledging allegiance to the Empire.
Some even offer hostages and ask for the insignia of office traditionally awarded to them by the emperor: a gilded silver staff and a silver crown, a white cloak, a white tunic, and a gilded boot.
Belisarius has been furnished by Justinian with these items in anticipation of this demand, and duly dispatches them along with sums of money.
Nevertheless it is clear that, as long as the outcome of the war remains undecided, neither side can count on the firm loyalty of the Moors.
During this period, messengers from Tzazon, sent to announce his recovery of Sardinia, sail into Carthage unaware that the city has fallen and are taken captive, followed shortly after by Gelimer's envoys to Theudis, who had reached Spain after the news of the Roman successes had arrived there and hence failed to secure an alliance.
Belisarius is also reinforced by the Roman general Cyril with his contingent, who had sailed to Sardinia only to find it once again in possession of the Vandals.
As soon as Tzazon receives his brother's message, he leaves Sardinia and lands in Africa, joining up with Gelimer at Bulla.
The Vandal king now determines to advance on Carthage.
His intentions are not clear; the traditional interpretation is that that he hoped to reduce the city by blockading it, but Ian Hughes believes that, lacking the reserves for a protracted war of attrition, he hoped to force Belisarius into a "single, decisive confrontation".